Wednesday, November 17 2010

Written by Donna Emert

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Janice Fletcher, professor of early childhood
development at the University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene, has earned the
Soroptimist International of Coeur d’Alene Women of Distinction
Education Award.

The honor will be awarded at the club’s 28th annual Women of Distinction
Awards Luncheon at 11:30 a.m., Friday, Nov. 19, at Cedar’s Restaurant
in Coeur d’Alene.

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and
professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls in
local communities and throughout the world. Soroptimists in about 120
countries and territories contribute time and financial support to
community-based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

Fletcher is a nationally recognized expert on early childhood
development and has earned multiple university, regional and national
awards for excellence in teaching, research and outreach. Those awards
include the University of Idaho’s Award of Excellence for Teaching and
the Award of Excellence for Academic Advising, a Teacher Fellow Award
from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture
association, and the 2009 Sticking Your Neck Out for Idaho's Children
award from the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children.

Her research focuses on the health and well being of young children,
early nutrition, educating child care providers and early childhood
teachers, and nurturing best practices for family and community in
support of young children. Local partnerships in those endeavors include
Coeur d’Alene school district, Head Start, Early Head Start, and Idaho
Heath and Welfare’s Infant-Toddler Program.

Fletcher joined the University of Idaho faculty in Moscow in 1979. She
moved to the Coeur d’Alene campus in 2008 to develop curriculum and
strengthen early childhood education partnerships with colleges in
northern Idaho and early childhood programs throughout the region.

She was nominated for the award by University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene colleague, Jamie Anderson, senior administrative assistant.

“I nominated Janice for her achievements, passion and dedication to
children and students,” said Anderson. “Her achievements in the field of
child development and her enthusiasm to make our community and state a
better place through caring are inspirational.”

Supporters, friends and colleagues are invited to attend the luncheon.
Tickets for the event are $25 and available at the door. Proceeds for
this luncheon benefit the Soroptimist current projects and the
Children’s Center.

Those who would like to make seating arrangements may purchase tickets in advance by contacting Anderson at jamieb@uidaho.edu.

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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s land-grant
institution and its principal graduate education and research
university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and
the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in
research grants and contracts each year. The University of Idaho is the
only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie
Foundation classification for high research activity. The student
population of 12,302 includes first-generation college students and
ethnically diverse scholars, who select from more than 130 degree
options in the colleges of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Art and
Architecture; Business and Economics; Education; Engineering; Law;
Letters, Arts and Social Sciences; Natural Resources; and Science. The
university also is charged with the statewide mission for medical
education through the WWAMI program. The university combines the
strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning
communities and focuses on helping students to succeed and become
leaders. It is home to the Vandals, the 2009 Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl
champions. For more information, visit www.uidaho.edu.

About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.